Tuesday, May 1, 2012

APRIL SHOWERS

DIY MINIATURE UMBRELLA
TUTORIALS

Whether you call them parasols, bumbershoots,
sun or rain shades, and etc. umbrellas are personal, hand-held canopies used to
protect us from rain or sunshine. They
come in different styles, sizes, fabrics and colors. There was a time when they were a integral
part of the fashionable woman’s dress.
Umbrellas can usually find a place in just about any miniature setting, adding
a touch of elegance, helping to determine a season or simply helping to fill a
corner.

Mix and match the styles given
here with different fabrics and colors for a fun and different, and
individualized DIY project.

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Browsing through http://pinterest.com/ I found this inspirational
idea to repurpose in miniature. Even
after doing a search I am not sure who to credit for the original idea but
whomever was the designer, kudos!

-Insert umbrella onto shaft thru
hole in center and use a tiny bit of glue to hold.

-On inside of umbrella run a thin
line of glue along inward fold and press to shaft. Repeat for opposite fold. Do the same with remaining inward folds,
working with opposites. As you work around
the umbrella and it closes up, you will have to reach inside to add the
glue. Make sure all is even and neat and
tidy, making any adjustments necessary to achieve this look

.

-A tie-closure may be added around
the upper third of the umbrella for a closed look.

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WOMAN’S UMBRELLA (AS SEEN AS DOOR DECORATION)

Set to print at actual/exact size or 5.04"W x 5.41"H

If using printer fabric follow package directions for settings etc.

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Prepare & fold the umbrella
following general directions.

After folding, add a narrow lace
trim, cut from the very edge of a full-sized length of lace trim, around
outside edge of umbrella.. Fabric stores
offer inexpensive, narrow lace trim yardage in a variety of colors…there are
even some pre-packaged in the notion department. If you don’t find the color you desire,
simply tint a light color with a Sharpie Permanent Marker pen…it works great.

After poking a hole in the
umbrella’s center, insert with glue a 1/16” brass eyelet/grommet into the hole,
from the outside in.

For the shaft cut a 2-5/8” to
2-7/8” length of 3/32” thick bamboo skewer.
Sand the skewer shaft smooth, removing a bit of its thickness. Mark up 1/8” from one end (the bottom) of the
shaft and carve/sand this 1/8” section to a sharp point at one end tapering to
1/16” at the marked spot.

Use needle nose files, or
what-have-you, to carve a design such as found on the ends of turned toothpicks
into the top 3/8” of the shaft…or, if desired, simply sand the top
rounded. You may also choose to use a
carved top toothpick…the wood will not be as strong as bamboo but it will
work. Paint the shaft a brassy gold, or
as desired.

Insert the tip of the shaft into
the eyelet so the point of the shaft protrudes out the end of the
eyelet/umbrella. Hold with a bit of
glue.

Follow the general directions for
adhering the umbrella to the shaft.

At this point you may leave the
umbrella as is or add a tie-closure of lace trim around the top 1/3 for a
closed look, catching the umbrella in a swirl.

Or to turn the umbrella into the
door decoration as seen:

Using the same lace trim as for
umbrella edging, Tie a length around the umbrella approx. 5/8” up from point of
shaft. End with a bow with tails; or do
as I did and end the trim with a knot and then make a separate bow with tails
from trim and glue over the knot.

Fill about 2/3” of the front five
sections of the umbrella with cotton to “puff” them out a bit.

Make 15 or so pink tulips ( please
see my April 2011 BASKETS & BUNNIES, AN EASTER PEDDLER’S CART for a tulip
tutorial) and glue into the center and 2 left sections of the umbrella, tucking
in tulip leaves and bits of fern-like dried foliage in and around tulip, for a
pleasing arrangement.

Fill the two right sections,
brimming over, with bits of bits of greenish-brown sphagnum moss (hobby/craft
store purchase) to give a nest-like appearance.
To hold moss in place it works to roll a bit of the moss in the palm of
your hand with a bit of glue and then add it to the umbrella as a bundle.

If you use the printie as seen on
printer fabric after folding & removing backing, use a black permanent
marker pen to color the back of the fabric.

Set to print at exact/actual size or 6.04"w x 6.32" h

If using printer fabric, follow package directions.

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To make the shaft, cut a 2 ½”
length of 1/6” thick bamboo skewer (you may have to sand a slightly thicker
skewer to 1/16” thickness).Measure and
mark a line ¼” in from each end.Using a
sharp blade, roll over the marked lines several times to score them.From the bottom edges of the shaft, slice up
to the scored lines, removing excess wood from the marked areas until they are
approx. 1/32” thick.Sand a bit for
smoothness.On what will be the bottom
of the shaft round off the tip.On what
will be the top, sand the tip to a point.

Knead a small piece of Classic
Black Fimo until it is workable. Working
on a small piece of glass or tile, roll it into until it is a 1/16” thick cane. Lay the shaft on the glass and insert the
pointed end into the center of the Fimo cane without lifting it. Using pattern as a guide, form the extending
Fimo cane into a crook and sharply cut off excess. Bake piece, shaft & all,
according to Fimo package directions.

Paint whole shaft black. Insert pointed end of shaft into hole in the
middle of the umbrella. Glue umbrella to
shaft following general directions.

The parasol can be made of silk or
other fine, natural material with an iron-on fusible backing.

There are also interesting scrapbooking
papers that look like fine fabrics to explore. As seen I a used a piece of
off-white, silk-like wallpaper from a sample book (got to love these sample
books, to be had for free or a few dollars when they are discontinued…so many
uses mini-wise).

Prepare the umbrella following
general directions. Glue lace trim
around outside of umbrella, along top edge and another row, approx. ½” from the
top edge.

For the shaft cut a thin bamboo skewer
2-1/4” long. Sand it smooth to a 1/16”
thickness, bringing one end to a find point.
Glue the sharpened tip of the shaft into the hole in the center of the
umbrella with 3/16” of the shaft extending beyond the hole; hold with a bit of
glue.

Glue the umbrella to shaft as
described in the general directions.

With glue, wrap lace trim around
the umbrella where the shaft pokes out the bottom.

Cut a 3/8” length of bamboo skewer
and round off both ends. Glue this piece
centered on top of the shaft for a hand grip. Using a tiny dab of cyanoacrylate
(Super/Krazy, etc.) glue along with your craft glue will add strength to the
join. Ribbon and lace trim may be added
just below the handle.

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So, that is it for now... sorry it has been so long between projects here. but I have been very busy with visiting family including my 3 year old granddaughter Malene, who loves grandma's minis just a little too much, sigh.... I am so terrible at saying "no". But I will try to squeeze in a little something for Mother's Day. So hopefully I will see you soon.

Do let me know if you enjoy the umbrellas and how you plan to use them in a project.

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A FAVORITE BOOK

PHOTOGRAPHS OF NEW YORK INTERIORS AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY – JOSEPH BYRON – Published June, 1976 Dover Publications Amazon describes this book as “containing 131 rare photographs capturing some of the most remarkable Victorian-Edwardian interiors ever created. Extraordinary furnished drawing rooms, dining rooms, studies, libraries, music rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms in the homes of well-to-do recall turn-of the century charm.” True, but there are also photos of work places, stores, shops, bars, restaurants, soda fountain, and even two of the interior of a luxury liner. Each photo has detailed notes and those along with the book’s introduction really give you an insight into a way of life at that time. The photos are so clear and full of detail that you will spend hours looking at them, just for fun and insight or as inspirations for miniature projects. Did I say I love this book? Amazon has new and used copies for very good prices…. It is a great addition to your library. ......Joann

About Me

The primary idea behind this blog is to share my miniature projects for you to re-create.
I have written and had published some 300+ DIY articles and I like to think that my work has influenced and been an inspiration to many.
I generally use inexpensive or found items and materials that should be available in just about any local or online, and often just in your “junk-drawer”. Paper, in all of its forms, is my forte but you may choose, in many instances, to substitute other materials, making any necessary adjustments.
I use simple, but quality hand tools and always keep the blades of my scissors and knives sharp. Generally the only powered tools I use are Dremel Motto Tools and a variable speed drill…oh, and a heat gun (I can’t wait for the paint to dry).
I hope that my projects will inspire you to create miniatures of your own designs. My work is for your enjoyment only, please do not use for personal profit.
If you have a question, suggestion or special request please feel free to contact me.
joanndiydollhouseminiatures@gmail.com